M O O Y

In this episode of Mooy Music Minute I defend Radiohead's latest release In Rainbows against invisible attackers. Unintentionally I brought up slights the band has earned over their career. Perhaps this is some poor way of conveying context. Either way I'm self indulgently commenting on my review within my own.

People want to comment on the way Radiohead is selling the new album, although distributing, not selling, would be a more accurate way of talking about it. Either way I don't want to talk about it. Music is art to be shared not to be shilled, and that's all I have to say about the state of the business of selling music. On to the music review!

Complete. Smooth. Fine-tuned. Ambitious. Masterful. Those are some of the words I would use to describe Radiohead when they are at their best. On In Rainbows the boys from Oxfordshire provide 10 reasons why those words are still applicable today. After 20+ years in business it is clear that Radiohead has a sublime vision of what their sounds is and where it fits best. While plenty of time has been spent expanding said sound and pouring conviction into unexplored electronic frontiers In Rainbows is a solid gift for fans that have yearned to old hits for nearly 3 years.

While many people perceive Radiohead as an 'album' band, meaning that one would need to listen to the entire album in order to cultivate a taste for their music, (this label refers more to the post-Kid A version of the band) it would be hard to find a believer of that premise amongst those who have heard multiple Radiohead albums. Sure, some styles appear on multiple songs, but there are always songs that break away. In Rainbows maintains this trend by holding on to a mellow medium-to-slow pace on a few songs (that are clinics in audio engineering), and also kicks it up on a couple.

A case could be argued that this new album takes the band no where new, that these all sound like something that has been done before. My response would be that these latest released songs are comparable, if not better, takes on previously visited styles.

The essence of a band's ability to compel audiences is found in what they share with each other. What is evident amid the 10 songs is that Radiohead has built a self confidence that allows the group to arrange themselves in creative and audibly pleasing ways. They have found a happy spot where they are able to mix their jazz with electronics and alternative sensibilities to effectively write new material. Although it could be that I have no idea what I am talking about.

I love the windchime guitars on Arpeggi and undulating bass rhythms, with weird fishes. Actually that song is a great example of how much is packed into some of these songs. Somehow they fit three songs into one. The idea that started with the Beatles "Happines Is A Warm Gun," and explored in "Paranoid Android," is worked to perfection.

I think 15 Step is a holdover from Yorke's solo effort. Who knows, maybe he wants you to play the discography in sequence.

Notes are longer. Feedback and reverb are feudal lords over vast planes The electronic is pulled back and laid thickly underneath. This is the step skipped between OK Computer and Kid A.